Athletic Training Device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for improving athletic technique is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one stationary attachment means, a strap attached to the stationary attachment means, a waist belt attached to the strap and at least one knee restraint attached to the strap. The strap and each of the at least one knee restraints acts in combination to maintain the body of a baseball batter in such a position that the swing of a batter is at an optimum technique.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The Present Invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/843,758, filed on 11 Sep. 2006.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The Present Invention relates to athletic training devices, and moreparticularly, to an apparatus for improving baseball hitting techniqueand success for a batter.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

To maintain a proper baseball batting stroke, a batter must maintain arigid forward knee while he swings the bat and rotates his hips. Doingso promotes a level swing, a proper head position and good ball contact.Athletic training devices designed to improve this aspect of battinghave become popular in recent times as a means of assisting a batter inobtaining a proper baseball batting stroke.

One existing athletic training device, described in U.S. Pat. No.3,870,317 to Wilson, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, utilizes a belt to be worn over the hips of agolfer in order to develop proper hip turn and body rotation during aswinging motion. Particularly adapted for the golfer, the devicedisclosed in Wilson includes an elastomeric web section attached to thebelt over the hip which is secured to a tree or stake with a length ofrope. The golfer leans toward the point of attachment prior to the backswing, with the web section tending to rotate the body during theforward swing. However, the device disclosed in Wilson does not operateto encourage a rigid forward knee while batting.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 1,703,375 to Volk, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes anotherathletic training device designed to improve the golf swing that employsa belt worn around the waist and secured with cords to a wall. U.S. Pat.No. 4,134,589 to Arena describes yet another athletic training devicethat utilizes a cord hooked onto the golfer's belt loops and secured toa stake in the ground ahead of the golfer. But like the Wilson athletictraining device, neither Volk nor Arena athletic training devicesoperate to encourage a somewhat rigid forward knee while batting.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,420 to Martelli, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, attempted to solve therigid forward knee problem of the above-cited devices. The devicedisclosed in Martelli attempts to restrain the forward knee movement ofthe batter by restraining the waist of the batter. However, the devicedisclosed in Martelli, by not restraining movement of the kneesthemselves, fails to maintaining a rigid forward knee.

Consequently, it is desirable to have an apparatus for this purpose—anathletic training device to assist a batter in developing an optimumbatting stroke in which the forward knee is maintained somewhat rigid.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An apparatus for improving athletic technique is disclosed. Theapparatus comprises at least one stationary attachment means, a strap, awaist belt and at least one knee restraint. Each of the at least onestationary attachment means is configured to secure the apparatus to astationary object. The strap is configured to provide a length ofseparation between the stationary attachment means and a location. Thewaist belt is configured to be worn across the waist of a batter. Eachof the at least one knee restraints is configured to be worn on the kneeof the batter. The strap and each of the at least one knee restraintsacts in combination to maintain the body of a baseball batter in such aposition that the swing of a batter is at an optimum technique.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an athletic training device, madein accordance with the teachings and tenets of the Present Invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates another view of the embodiment of the athletictraining device, made in accordance with the teachings and tenets of thePresent Invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the waist unit of the athletictraining device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates another view of the embodiment of the athletictraining device, made in accordance with the teachings and tenets of thePresent Invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrated embodiments of the Present Invention, and thedescription below, are directed to an apparatus for improving—andmaintaining the optimum form of—the hitting technique and form of abaseball batter.

The Present Invention, illustrated generally in FIG. 1 as referencenumeral 10, is an apparatus for improving the technique of a baseballbatter by positioning the batter in a position such that the batter'sswing and any contact with a baseball are at optimum positioning andefficiency. Referring to FIG. 1, athletic training device 10 isillustrated as generally comprising stationary attachments 12, 14; strap16; length adjustment mechanism 18; waist belt 20; and, as illustratedin FIGS. 2-4, knee restraints 22, 32. It is preferable that athletictraining device 10 be formed of any non-corrosive, flexible andgenerally non-degradable material, such as woven nylon strapping,elastic or any other similar material, able to withstand the pressureand exertion forced upon it. The choice of material of athletic trainingdevice 10 gives an added advantage over currently-used devices byproviding both restraint—which encourages the batter to practice andobtain proper and optimum technique—and “give”—so that the batter is notinjured or harmed during practice of obtaining a proper and optimumtechnique.

Stationary attachments 12, 14 are intended to provide a base supportfrom which athletic training device 10 may extend. Typically, in manysituations, stationary attachments 12, 14 would be attached to abackstop, or other similar device, disposed directly behind home plateon a recreational baseball diamond. In the absence of a backstop,stationary attachments 12, 14 are configured to be attached to anystructure that would provide a stationary position of support, such as atree or a light pole. Further, stationary attachments 12, 14 may utilizeany currently-known means of attachment to secure athletic trainingdevice 10 to the stationary structure, whether it be a backstop, a chainlink fence, a tree or other structure. Such means include a hook andloop fastening system, a nut and bolt assembly, a plastic-type clipattachment means, a means by which stationary attachments 12, 14 can betied or knotted to the stationary structure, etc. Although it is notcritical that stationary attachment means 12, 14 be formed of anyspecific material, it is preferable that the material be non-corrosive,flexible and generally non-degradable, such as woven nylon strapping orany other similar material, able to withstand the pressure and exertionforced upon it. Further, although stationary attachment means 12, 14 isillustrated in FIG. 1 as comprising first stationary attachment means 12and second stationary attachment means 14, more or less stationaryattachment means may nevertheless be utilized with athletic trainingdevice 10, provided the tenets and teachings of the Present Inventionare satisfied.

As discussed above, stationary attachment means 12, 14 are intended toattach athletic training device 10 to a stationary structure. At theopposite end of stationary attachment means 12, 14 is attached strap 16.Preferably (although not necessarily) made of the same material asstationary attachment means 12, 14, strap 16 bridges the distancebetween stationary attachment means 12, 14, as they are attached to thestationary structure, and home plate (or any location where the batteris intending to practice his technique). Typically, strap 16 comprisesan 8-16 foot adjustable length material. Additionally, strap 16 isintended to provide a guide for the batter. The position of strap 16provides the batter with a “floor” below which his swing cannot go.Through this prevention, the use of athletic training device 10 servesto improve the batting technique of the batter.

Further, athletic training device 10 may be adjustable in nature,through the use of strap adjustment mechanism 18. Strap adjustmentmechanism 18 may be any currently known means of adjusting suchnon-corrosive, flexible, generally non-degradable material, that strap16 is intended to comprise, including a plastic-type clip mechanism, ahook and loop system, a belt and hook system, elastic, etc. In thisregard, the length of athletic training device 10 is adjustable so thata batter can practice his technique, regardless of how far the structureis located from the position of practice. Further, the material used tomanufacture athletic training device 10 will be such that it will allowproper give when practicing a batter's swing, while, at the same time,restraining the batter so that improper technique is proscribed.

At the end of strap 18 that is opposite to stationary attachment means12, 14 is waist belt 20. Again, like stationary attachment means 12, 14and strap 16, waist belt 20 is preferably made of the samenon-corrosive, flexible, generally non-biodegradable material. Waistbelt 20 is intended to be disposed around the waist or lower abdomen ofthe batter. As a result, waist belt 20 should be of a length sufficientto extend around the waist of a typical batter. The purpose of waistbelt 20 is to assist the batter in keeping the bat level, or evenslightly downward, in direction when swinging towards a pitch. Asdiscussed above with regard to strap 18, waist belt 20, by its placementon the waist or lower abdomen of the batter, serves to maintain a“floor” below which the batter cannot swing the bat. That is, by wearingwaist belt 20 around the mid-section, the batter is also aided inkeeping his bat level, or even slightly downward in direction, whenswinging at a pitched ball. In doing so, a fundamentally correcttechnique—of a level or slightly downward swing—is stressed. If thebatter's swing deviates from this form, his bat will touch strap 16,thus reminding the batter of the correct method. Thus, waist belt 20serves to maintain the batter in a position that ensures propertechnique when swinging a bat. Further, waist belt 20 aids in ensuringthe correct weight distribution of the batter as he prepares to swingtowards a pitched ball.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, waist belt 20 further includes fastenerportions 24, 26 and adjustment mechanism 28. Fastener portions 24, 26are intended to facilitate a snug fit of waist belt 20 against the waistor lower abdomen of the batter. Although illustrated as a hook and loopfastening system, fastener portions 24, 26 may comprise any other knownmeans of fastening, such as a belt hook system, plastic-type adjustableclip systems commonly used with woven nylon strapping, etc.

Adjustment mechanism 28 preferably uses any currently-known means toadjust the length of waist belt 20, in an effort to provide a snug fitagainst the waist or lower abdomen of the batter (typically in a rangeof 20-40 inches), such as a plastic-type adjustable clip system.Additionally, it is preferred that adjustment mechanism 28—as with alladjustment mechanisms of the Present Invention—be configured tofacilitate easy removal from one batter and affixation on a secondbatter, making athletic training device useful for team practice as wellas one-on-one coaching.

A further element of athletic training device 10 is knee restraint 22.Similar to the purpose of waist belt 20, knee restraint 22 is intendedto position the batter such that the batter maintains a proper stancewhen preparing to swing towards a pitch. This provides a distinctadvantage over currently-used devices, such as that disclosed inMartelli. Knee restraint 22 is intended to be affixed snugly to the kneeor thigh area of the batter. Although in FIG. 2, there is shown only oneknee restraint 22, the Present Invention anticipates that two kneerestraints may be used, one for each knee—or thigh area—of the batter.This is illustrated in FIG. 4, where second knee restraint is referencedas numeral 32. Further, although FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate kneerestraints 22, 32 as emanating from strap 16, knee restraints 22, 32nevertheless may emanate from waist belt 20 or from stationaryattachment 12 and/or 14, or, alternatively, from the structure to whichstationary attachments 12, 14 are attached. Finally, it is contemplatedthat knee restraints 22, 32 may be made of the same material as waistbelt 20, and may further include an adjusting mechanism similar to thatused in waist belt 20.

Knee restraints 22, 32 serve to restrain the knees—or thigh areas—of thebatter, in an effort to maintain the batter in a proper position forswinging the bat. That is, knee restraints 22, 32 serve to control thestride of the batter as he positions himself ready to swing.

Further, athletic training device 10 may include disposed elasticportion 30. Elastic portion 30 is preferably disposed at the end ofstrap 18 closest to waist belt 20. The purpose of elastic portion 30 isto provide an adequate “give” while the batter uses athletic trainingdevice 30. That is, the batter will still be able to pivot his hipswhile wearing waist belt 20. Additionally, to allow this “give,” it iscontemplated that the entire athletic training device 10 maybe made ofelastic.

Athletic training device 10 is preferably tailored effectively to thesize and skill level of all batters, while improving fundamental battingtechnique, leading, hopefully, to success in the batter's box. Thecombination of the various elements of athletic training device 10serves to ensure that the batter maintains a fundamentally soundposition when swinging a bat. If the batter's swing deviates from thisform, the bat will come into contact with strap 18, serving as areminder to the batter to correct his swing. That is, athletic trainingdevice 10 works to improve fundamental batting technique. By tetheringthe batter to a stationary structure, athletic training device serves toremind the batter of the proper technique of keeping his hands and weirdtoward his rear foot until the correct moment when the batter “clearshis hips,” and swings powerfully. Knee portion 22 serves to limit thestride of the batter when addressing each pitch. Further, athletictraining device 10 teaches batters proven methods of solid battingtechnique. In doing so, the batter's weight moves through the swing ofthe bat and, when contact with the ball is made, the results aresatisfactory, especially when compared with other techniques.

The disclosed Present Invention provides an athletic training device foruse in developing proper technique for a batter. It should be noted thatthe above-described and illustrated embodiments and preferredembodiments of the Present Invention are not an exhaustive listing ofthe forms the Present Invention might take; rather, they serve asexemplary and illustrative of embodiments of the Present Invention aspresently understood. Many other forms of the Present Invention existand are readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art.

1. An apparatus for improving athletic technique comprising: at leastone stationary attachment means, each of the at least one stationaryattachment means being configured to secure the apparatus to astationary object; a strap attached to the stationary attachment means,the strap being configured to provide a length of separation between thestationary attachment means and a location; a waist belt attached to thestrap, the waist belt being configured to be worn across the waist of abatter; and at least one knee restraint attached to the strap, each ofthe at least one knee restraints being configured to be worn on the kneeof the batter; wherein the strap and each of the at least one kneerestraints acts in combination to maintain the body of a baseball batterin such a position that the swing of a batter is at an optimumtechnique.
 2. A method for improving athletic technique comprising:providing a device which includes at least one stationary attachmentmeans, a strap, a waist belt and at least one knee restraint; attachingone of the at least one the stationary attachment means to a supportstructure; attaching the waist belt and one of the at least one kneerestraints to a batter; and swinging a bat while the batter is wearingthe waist belt and one of the at least one knee restraints; whereinproper batting technique is developed through the combination of thestrap and one of the at least one knee restraints.